New judge appointed to hear civil case to oust Cape County Coroner Wavis Jordan

Wavis Jordan

Judge Amanda L. Oesch was appointed recently as the judge to rule over Cape Girardeau County Coroner Wavis Jordan's civil suit.

The reassignment of a judge in the case is due to the resignation of Special Judge Jerel Poor, as the order for administrative reassignment was filed on Aug. 26. There have not been any hearings or trials scheduled as of yet since Oesch was appointed to the case.

Oesch works as the associate circuit judge for Scott County.

The suit involves the state attorney general's effort to remove Jordan from office.

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office filed the quo warranto petition to remove Jordan from office Feb. 8.

The state claims Jordan filed information that deceased people died from heart conditions rather than by suicide or drug overdoses. In court documents, the state has cited physical evidence and testimony from police officers who claim he knew the deceased individuals did not die from a heart condition. Jordan is charged with three counts of falsifying records to vital records. Each charge is considered a Class E felony.

Jordan continues to be paid his full salary even though the courts ordered him to not do any functions for the office until the quo warranto ruling is decided. In the meantime, the sheriff’s office is coordinating the duties of the coroner’s office with deputy coroners.

Jordan's term ends later this year. He ran for re-election but finished far behind the other candidates.